Sunday, August 11, 2013

Classic Cars


1935 Auburn Supercharged 851 front view
The 1935 Auburn 851 Speedsteris among classic cars profiled in these articles. 

Classic cars captivate us with their beauty, rarity and engineering, with the memories they evoke, the history they capture. The articles collected here present concise, authoritative profiles of more than 400 American and import classic cars built from 1930 to 2000.

The grandest Imperials, Lincolns, and Packards are just some of the unquestioned American classics represented.

Bentley, Bugatti, and Rolls Royce are among the many import-brand immortals featured.

These articles also embrace great cars that hover just outside the most-exalted circles. So you'll read about the 1954 Kaiser-Darrin DKF161, 1955 Chrysler C300, 1959 Studebaker Silver Hawk, and other bona fide collectibles.

Classic cars can be modern favorites, too, and can even be cars celebrated for their quirky individuality.

That's why we've included articles on such recent gems as the 1990-2000 Acura NSX, 1987-1990 BMW M3, and 1992-1995 Ford Taurus SHO. It's also why we acknowledge such delightful eccentrics as the 1958 Edsel Pacer, 1951 Henry J DeLuxe, and 1954 -1956 Nash Metropolitan.

Each article places the subject car in its historical context, and outlines the qualities that make it a classic. Attributes such as its performance or styling are included in a list of "Pluses." Deficits like build quality or propensity to rust are counted among its "Minuses."

A vital key to classic and collectible status -- the number of each car built -- is listed in a "Production" roundup, while handy charts list vehicle dimensions, weights, and price when new.

Details about engines, their horsepower, and the years in which they were available are provided, as well.

To make your journey easier, we've divided these classic cars alphabetically by manufacturer, and separately by decade.

Classic Cars A-B

1932-1935 Bugatti Type 55 side view
The 1932-1935 Bugatti Type 55 was fast and pretty, and is a classic car standout. 
 
Classic cars A-B includes those very special automobiles that altered their entire model category. That defines the Acura NSX. Learn about how this midengine two-seater bolted from Honda's premium brand in 1990 as Japanese engineers drew on racing experience to build an everyday supercar.

Classic cars A-B includes those very special automobiles that altered their entire model category. That defines the Acura NSX. Learn about how this midengine two-seater bolted from Honda's premium brand in 1990 as Japanese engineers drew on racing experience to build an everyday supercar.

Alfa Romeo harnessed Italian passion to create the prewar performance benchmark Alfa Romeo 6C2300 and the charming Alfa Romeo Alfetta family of postwar sporting coupes.

Bentley spanned much of the 20th Century with aristocratic British classics for those who'd rather drive than be driven. The 1952-1955 Bentley R-Type Continental was such a classic.

And Bugatti set the standard for jewel-like European craftsmanship and unwavering devotion to engineering excellence. Check out the 1934-1940 Bugatti Type 57/57C to see what we mean.

For profiles, pictures, specs and more on these and other great classic cars, check out:

1990-2000 Acura NSX/NSX Zanardi Edition1934-1939 Alfa Romeo 6C23001975-1979 Alfa Romeo Alfetta GT/GTV/Sprint Veloce1952-1959 Allard Palm Beach
1967-1969 AMC Ambassador DPL & SST 2-doors1974-1978 AMC Matador Coupes1958-1962 AMC Metropolitan1968-1970 AMC Rebel SST Hardtop & Convertible
1930-1934 American Austin1938-1941 American Bantam1930-1939 Aston Martin 1 1/2 Litre/2Litre1990 Aston Martin Virage
1931-1936 Auburn Eight1935-1936 Auburn Supercharged 851/8521932-1934 Auburn Twelve1985-1991 Audi 5000CS Turbo Quattro/200 Quattro
1981-1987 Audi Coupe/Coupe GT1980-1991 Audi Quattro Couple1961-1971 Austin-Healey Sprite (&MG Midget)1965-1982 Avanti II
1933-1937 Bentley 3 1/2 Litre1936-1939 Bentley 4 1/2 Litre1998-1999 Bentley Azure1998-2000 Bentley Continental
1982-1991 Bentley Mulsanne Turbo & Turbo R1952-1955 Bentley R-Type1952-1955 Bentley R-Type Continental1955-1965 Bentley S-Type
1955-1965 Bentley S-Type Continental1930 Blackhawk1963-1971 BMC Mini Cooper S1965-1968 BMW 2000CS
1968-1976 BMW 20021962-1965 BMW 3200CS1936-1941 BMW 327/3281956-1959 BMW 503
1988-1995 BMW 750iL1978-1987 BMW 7-series1987-1990 BMW M31987-1989 BMW M5
1987-1990 BMW Z11930-1931 Bugatti Type 43/43A1930-1934 Bugatti Type 491930-1934 Bugatti Type 50
1932-1935 Bugatti Type 551934-1940 Bugatti Type 57/57C1936-1938 Bugatti Type 57S/SC1954-1957 Buick Century Convertible & Hardtops
1931-1935 Buick Eight1959-1960 Buick Electra & Invicta 2-Doors1961-1962 Buick Electra 225 & Invicta 2-Doors1982 Buick Grand National
1968-1972 Buick GS1958 Buick Limited1985-1987 Buick Regal Grand National & GNX1942-1948 Buick Roadmaster
1936-1942 Buick Seres 80/90 Limited1936-1942 Buick Series 60 Century1965-1967 Buick Skylark Gran Sport1961-1963 Buick Special Skylark



Classic Cars C-D

1961 Chrysler 300-G hardtop front view
The 1961 Chrysler 300G was big and powerful, and is now a magnet for collectors. 

Classic cars C-D features a rich collection of all-time great automobiles.

No roster of classic cars would be complete without the Cadillac Sixteen of the 1930s. Learn about that magnificent V-16 Cadillac, elegant postwar beauties like the 1948 Cadillac Series Sixty-Two convertible, and the Camelot cool of the razor-finned 1961 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz.

Chrysler had its day in the classic sun with such luminaries as the enchanting wood-trimmed 1950 Chrysler Town & Country Newport and the handsome Virgil Exner-styled 1955 Chrysler New Yorker. Check out these and other milestone Chryslers, including the granddaddy of American muscle cars, the hemi-powered 1955 Chrysler C-300.

Surprise, surprise -- collector interest is growing for the 1981-1982 DeLorean "DMC12". That's the unpainted-aluminum sports car famous as the "Back To The Future" time machine. Learn about this one-of-a-kind car and its controversial creator, John Z. DeLorean.

Also the product of a single vision -- that of auto-transport contractor Eugene Casaroll -- but a far better car than the DeLorean, was the glorious 1956-1958 Dual-Ghia. Find out why Frank Sinatra wanted one of these fast, expensive, and doomed American cars.

For profiles, pictures, specs and more on these and other great classic cars, check out:
1930-1935 Cadillac Eight1961-1964 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz1965-1966 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz1982-1985 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible & Touring Coupe
1992-2000 Cadillac Eldorado ETC1967-1970 Cadillac Fleetwood Eldorado1971-1976 Cadillac Fleetwood Eldorado Convertible1938-1940 Cadillac Series 90 Sixteen
1948-1949 Cadillac Series Sixty-One Sedanet1948-1949 Cadillac Series Sixty-Two Convertible/Sedanet1949 Cadillac Series Sixty-Two Coupe de Ville1953 Cadillac Series Sixty-Two Eldorado
1954-1955 Cadillac Series Sixty-Two Eldorado1956-1958 Cadillac Series Sixty-Two Eldorado Biarritz1990-1991 Cadillac Sevile STS1930-1937 Cadillac Sixteen
1930-1937 Cadillac Twelve1962-1964 Chrysler 3001965-1966 Chrysler 300 2D Hardtop & Convertible1967-1968 Chrysler 300 2D Hardtop & Convertible
1969-1971 Chrysler 300 2D Hardtop & Convertible1970 Chrysler 300 Hurst1957-1958 Chrysler 300C/300D1959 Chrysler 300E
1960-1962 Chrysler 300F/300G/300H1963-1964 Chrysler 300J/300K1955-1956 Chrysler C300/300B1979-1982 Chrysler Cordoba 300/Cordoba LS
1946-1948 Chrysler Crown Imperial1949-1954 Chrysler Imperial1985-1986 Chrysler Laser XT1983-1986 Chrysler LeBaron Mark Cross T&C Convertible
1983-1986 Chrysler Limousine & Executive Sedan1955-1956 Chrysler New Yorker Hardtop & Convertible1940-1942 Chrysler New Yorker Highlander
1940-1942 Chrysler New yorker Navajo1963-1964 Chrysler New Yorker Salon1951 Chrysler Saratoga Club Coupe1950 Chrysler Town & Country Newport
1940-1942 Chrysler Windsor Highlander1941-1942 Chrysler Windsor Town & Country1934-1957 Citroën "Traction avant"1957-1975 Citroën Chapron DS 19/20/21/23
1955-1975 Citroën DS 19/20/21/231947-1948 Crosley Convertible & Wagon1949-1952 Crosley Convertible & Wagon1953-1955 Cunningham C-3
1935-1950 Delahaye Type 1351981-1982 DeLorean "DMC12"1934-1936 DeSoto Airflow1950 DeSoto Custom Sportsman
1946-1980 DeSoto Custom Suburban1955-1956 DeSoto Fireflite1955 DeSoto Fireflite Coronado1957-1960 Dodge Pickup
1950 Dodge Coronet Diplomat1953 Dodge Coronet Eight Convertible1950 Dodge Coronet Woody Wagon1941-1942 Dodge Custom Convertible
1946-1949 Dodge Custom Convertible1957-1959 Dodge D-5001984-1990 Dodge Daytona Turbo Z & Shelby Z1988-1990 Dodge Lancer Shelby
1982-1984 Dodge Rampage (& Plymouth Scamp)1954 Dodge Royal 500 Convertible1950-1951 Dodge Wayfarer Sportabout1956-1958 Dual-Ghia
1961-1963 Dual-Ghia L6.4





Classic Cars E-H

1933 Hispano-Suiza J12 cabriolet front-three-quarter view
The 1931-1938 Hispano-Suiza J12 vied for title of the world's best car in the 1930's.  

Classic cars E-H, like any true classics, must be judged though the lens of time. The magic comes when some shunned when they were new emerge later as objects of desire. Discover some of that magic by exploring the links in the chart below.

Find out why cars like the 1958 Edsel Ranger, that poster child of automotive ugliness, is today a collectible.

The list of sought-after Fords is long, and you're invited to explore 17 of the best, including the 1949 Ford Custom V-8 models that revived the marque and the flashy 1957-1959 Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner with its clear roof panel.

Find out why the late-1930's cars from Graham are among the most underrated classic cars of the era. The radical 1938-1940 Graham Supercharger is included here as ample evidence of this low-volume American automaker's unusual approach.

It's the mid 1930's. What is the best car in the world? Learn why some would pick the 1931-1938 Hispano-Suiza J12. This grand automobile drew on international talent to create a bona fide classic.
For profiles, pictures, specs and more on these and other great classic cars, check out:

1958-1959 Edsel Corsair1958 Edsel Pacer1958 Edsel Ranger1959 Edsel Ranger Hardtops
1960 Edsel Villager Wagons1957-1964 Facel Vega Excellence1954-1959 Facel Vega FV1953-1962 Fiat 1100TV
1961-1968 Fiat 2300S1965-1974 Fiat 850 Coupe & Spider1952-1954 Fiat 8V1967-1973 Fiat Dino Spyder & Coupe
1963-1970 Ford (GB) Lotus-Cortina1949 Ford Custom V-8 (exc. Sedans)1951 Ford Custom Victoria1953-1956 Ford F-100 Pickup
1957-1958 Ford Fairlane 500 (exc. Skyliner)1957-1959 Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner1962-1964 Ford Galaxie 500XL1965-1966 Ford Galaxie 500XL
1960-1961 Ford Galaxie Starliner & Sunliner1992-1995 Ford Taurus SHO1996-1999 Ford Taurus SHO1962-1963 Ford Thunderbird Sports Roadster
1989-1990 Ford Thunderbird Super Coupe1969 Ford Torino Cobra & Talladega1968-1969 Ford Torino GT1932-1938 Ford V-8 Open Models & Wagons
1946-1948 Ford V-8 Super DeLuxe Sportsman1947-1948 Frazer Manhattan1949-1950 Frazer Manhattan1948-1956 Frazer Nash
1930-1939 Frazer Nash Chain-Drive Models1947 Frazer Standard1951 Frazer Standard1963-1968 Glas 1300/1700/1600GT
1965-1968 Glas 2600/3000 GT1955-57 GMC Suburban1964-1966 Gordon-Keeble GK1 & GKIT1938-1940 Graham Supercharger
1952-1954 Henry J Corsair1952-1954 Henry J Corsair DeLuxe1951 Henry J DeLuxe1951 Henry J Standard
1952 Henry J Vangabond1930-1934 Hispano-Suiza H6C1931-1938 Hispano-Suiza J121984-1987 Honda Civic CRX
1979-1982 Honda Prelude1983-1987 Honda Prelude1988-1991 Honda Prelude1992-1995 Honda Prelude
1935-1956 HRG 1100/15001946-1947 Hudson Commodore Eight1948-1949 Hudson Commodore Eight1948-1949 Hudson Commodore Six
1935-1938 Hudson Custom Eight1951-1953 Hudson Hornet1955-1957 Hudson Hornet1954 Hudson Jet-Liner
1948-1949 Hudson Super Eight1953-1954 Hudson Super Jet1946-1947 Hudson Super Six1948-1949 Hudson Super Six
1953-1954 Hudson Super Wasp1952-1954 Hudson Wasp




Classic Cars I-L

1954 Kaiser Special sedan early version, rear-three-quarter view
The 1954 Kaiser Special is collectible partly because fewer than 5,000 were built.  
 
Classic cars I-L is an alphabetically arranged collection of some of the world's most coveted autos.
Collectors of classic cars know a real Imperial wasn't merely a gilded Chrysler. The true Imperials came from a spin-off Chrysler marque that brought to the fore everything a great American company could muster. Check out the 1957-1959 Imperial LeBaron for evidence.

The greatest Jaguars embody the British firm's time-honored slogan, "Grace, space, and pace." Learn about a herd of hot cats, from the 1960-1969 Jaguar Mark II sporting saloon to the supercharged 2000 Jaguar XKR.

For an American automaker founded just after World War II, Kaiser boasts a substantial list of high-interest cars. Find out why such models as the 1951 Kaiser DeLuxe were considered daring styling departures and, more importantly, were successful in the marketplace.

Lincoln aspires to high-volume profitability, but Ford's premium house also is responsible for a good number of low-volume classics. Check out such important American cars as the 1932-1934 Lincoln V-12, the 1940-1941 Lincoln Continental, and the 1968-1971 Lincoln Continental Mark III.
For profiles, pictures, specs and more on these and other great classic cars, check out:

1955-1956 Imperial1981-1983 Imperial1960-1963 Imperial Crown1964-1970 Imperial Crown
1957-1959 Imperial LeBaron1960-1963 Imperial LeBaron1964-1970 Imperial LeBaron1961-1970 Innocenti Spider/Coupe
1963-1970 Iso Rivolta1967-1974 Iso S4 Fidia1960-1969 Jaguar Mark II1945-1948 Jaguar Mark IV
1959-1961 Jaguar Mark IX1948-1951 Jaguar Mark V1950-1957 Jaguar Mark VII/VIIM1956-1959 Jaguar Mark VIII
1965-1970 Jaguar Mark X & 420G1961-1965 Jaguar Mark X1963-1969 Jaguar S-Type/4201987-1994 Jaguar XJ6
1979-1986 Jaguar XJ6 Series III1969-1973 Jaguar XJ6/XJ121973-1979 Jaguar XJ6/XJ12 Series II1975-1978 Jaguar XJC
1995-2000 Jaguar XJR2000 Jaguar XKR1962-1966 Jensen CV81966-1971 Jensen FF
1953 Kaiser "Hardtop" Dragon1947-1948 Kaiser Custom1949-1950 Kaiser DeLuxe1951 Kaiser DeLuxe
1952-1953 Kaiser Manhattan1954-1955 Kaiser Manhattan1954 Kaiser Special1949-1950 Kaiser Special Traveler
1952 Kaiser Virginian DeLuxe1954 Kaiser-Darrin DKF1611976-1990 Lagonda1949-1958 Lagonda 2.6/3.0 Litre
1961-1964 Lagonda Rapide1938-1939 Lagonda V-121982-1989 Lamborghini Jalpa1951-1958 Lancia Aurelia Coupe & Spyder
1959-1964 Lancia Flaminia Coupe & Spyder1962-1975 Lancia Flavia Coupe/Convertible/Zagato/20001965-1976 Lancia Fulvia Coupe & Zagato1948-1985 Land-Rover Series I,II,III
1990-2000 Lexus SC 300/4001952-1954 Lincoln Capri1940-1941 Lincoln Continental1961-1967 Lincoln Continental by Lehmann-Peterson
1935-1940 Lincoln Model K1956-1957 Lincoln Premiere1958-1960 Lincoln Premiere1932-1934 Lincoln V-12 Models
1930-1932 Lincoln V-8 Models L/K/KA1956-1957 Lincoln Continental Mark II1961-1963 Lincoln Continental1968-1971 Lincoln Continental Mark III
1984-1992 Lincoln Continental Mark VII LSC1957-1980 Lotus Seven


 Classic Cars M-O


1961 Oldsmobile Starfire convertible front view
The 1961 Oldsmobile Starfire was a classy convertible and an American classic.  
 
Classic cars M-O is a standout collection of classics from Maserati to Opel.

All classic cars can be said to begin with Mercedes-Benz, which is credited with the creating first automobile, the Benz Patent Motor Car of 1886.

Explore the rich tradition of Mercedes-Benz classics, which encompasses some of the most desirable automobiles ever made. These include the 1938-1940 Mercedes-Benz Type 770 Grosserr, the 1967-1972 Mercedes-Benz 300SEL 6.3, and the 1999 Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG.
For an upscale offshoot of Ford, Mercury fashioned a solid roster of collections.

Independent automaker Nash waged a valiant battle against the giants of Detroit for much of the 20th Century, and created some collector cars along the way. Learn about the 1939-1942 Nash Ambassador Eight, the 1954-1956 Nash Metropolitan Series 54, and other neat Nashes.

Classic Cars P-R

1930 Packard DeLuxe Eight phaeton front-three-quarter view
The 1930 Packard DeLuxe Eight phaeton is among the great American classics.  
 
Classic cars P-R encompasses great autos built over seven decades and two continents.

No compilation of classic cars is complete without Packard. Check out some of the timeless designs from this great American marque, including the 1933-1936 Packard Super Eight and the 1955 Packard Clipper Custom Constellation.

As General Motors' "Excitement Division," Pontiac is home to a host of classic cars. Learn about such Motown immortals as the 1949 Pontiac Chieftain DeLuxe and the 1976 Pontiac Firebird Limited Edition Trans Am.

Rambler started life in 1950 as a compact car from the American automaker Nash. Take a journey into its world though collectibles like the jaunty tri-colored 1956 Rambler hardtop and the quirky 1965 Rambler Marlin fastback.

Classic and classy, Rolls-Royce defines automotive aristocracy. Find out about such ageless examples of fine British motoring as the 1938-39 Rolls-Royce Wraith and the 1949-55 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn.

For profiles, pictures, specs and more on these and other great classic cars, check out:

1955 Packard Clipper Custom Constellation1953-1954 Packard clipper Sportster1940-1942 Packard Custom Super Eight 1801930-1932 Packard Eight
1955-1956 Packard Four Hundred1940-1942 Packard One Twenty & Clipper One Twenty Convertibles1951-1954 Packard Patrician1955-1956 Packard Patrician
1951-1954 Packard Patrician Formal Sedan1933-1936 Packard Super Eight1937-1939 Packard Super Eight1949-1950 Packard Super Eight DeLuxe
1940-1941 Packard Super Eight One Sixty Convertibles1930-1932 Plymouth1970-1971 Plymouth Barracuda Convertibles1970-1974 Plymouth Barracuda Coupes
1957-58 Plymouth Belvedere Convertible & Hardtop Coupe1971-75 Plymouth GTX & Road Runner1970-71 Plymouth Sport Fury GT1979 Pontiac 10th Anniversary Trans Am
1983-87 Pontiac 6000STE1959-60 Pontiac Bonneville Hardtops & Convertible1950 Pontiac Chieftain Catalina1949 Pontiac Chieftain DeLuxe
1993-2000 Pontiac Firebird1976 Pontiac Firebird Limited Edition Trans Am1942-48 Pontiac Streamliner1949 Pontiac Streamliner Wood Body Wagon
1961-63 Rambler American Convertible & Hardtop1965-66 Rambler Classic Hardtops & Convertibles1956-57 Rambler Hardtop Sedans & Wagons1965 Rambler Marlin
1930-36 Rolls-Royce 20/251936-38 Rolls-Royce 25/301975-86 Rolls-Royce Camargue1930-35 Rolls-Royce Phantom II
1950-56 Rolls-Royce Phantom IV1959-68 Rolls-Royce Phantom V1968-90 Rolls-Royce Phantom VI1955-59 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud I
1959-62 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II1962-65 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III1949-55 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn1946-59 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith
1938-39 Rolls-Royce Wraith1966-95 Rolls-Royce/Bentley Coupe & Convertible1963-73 Rover 2000/2000TC1950-64 Rover P4 Series
1959-73 Rover P5/P5B Series


 
Oldsmobile was the only American carmaker to be founded in the 19th Century and continue into the 21st. Find out about the classics Olds produced, including the 1954-1956 Oldsmobile 98 & Super 88 and 1983-1987 Oldsmobile Cutlass/Hurst & 442.

For profiles, pictures, specs and more on these and other great classic cars, check out:

1963-1969 Maserati Quattroporte1979-1989 Maserati Quattroporte1983-1988 Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-161968-1976 Mercedes-Benz 250/280C/CE
1967-1972 Mercedes-Benz 300SEL 6.31975-1980 Mercedes-Benz 450SEL 6.91959-1971 Mercedes-Benz Coupe and Cabriolet1998-2000 Mercedes-Benz ML55/E55/C43 (AMG Specials)
1970-1990 Mercedes-Benz SL (R107)1991-2000 Mercedes-Benz SL1971-1981 Mercedes-Benz SLC1998-2000 Mercedes-Benz SLK230
1951-1962 Mercedes-Benz Type 3001952-1958 Mercedes-benz Type 300S/Sc1938-1940 Mercedes-Benz Type 770 Grosser1941-1942 Mercury
1969-1970 Mercury Cougar1971-1973 Mercury Cougar1984-1988 Mercury Cougar XR-71955-1956 Mercury Montclair Hardtop/Convertible/Phaeton
1952-1954 Mercury Monterey1962 Mercury Monterey Custom S-551967 Mercury Monterey S-551959-1960 Mercury Park Lane
1963-1964 Mercury S-55 & Marauder1966 Mercury S-551946 Mercury Sportsman1932-1934 MG J-Type Midget
1934-1936 MG PA/PB1936-1939 MG TA/TB1939-1942 Nash Ambassador Eight1939-1942 Nash Ambassador Six
1946-1948 Nash Ambassador Suburban1954-1956 Nash Metropolitan Series 541956-1957 Nash Metropolitan Series 56 15001953-1955 Nash Rambler
1930-1934 Nash Twin-Ignition Eight1995-1998 Nissan 200SX SE-R1963-1966 NSU Wankel Spider1954-1956 Oldsmobile 98 & Super 88
1959-1960 Oldsmobile 98 & Super 881946-1947 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser 981983-1987 Oldsmobile Cutlass/Hurst & 4421964-1965 Oldsmobile F-85 Cutlass 4-4-2
1949-1950 Oldsmobile Futuramic 881949 Oldsmobile Futuramic 98 Holiday1973-1975 Oldsmobile Hurst/Olds1964-1965 Oldsmobile Jetstar I
1961-1966 Oldsmobile Starfire1951-1953 Oldsmobile Super 881971-1975 Opel 1900/Manta Coupe/Rallye/Luxus

Classic Cars S-W

1932 Stutz DV32 Super Bearcat convertible front-three-quarter view
The 1932 Stutz DV32 Super Bearcat convertible is among the classics cars S-W. 
 
Classic cars S-W includes a cavalcade of collectibles, as you'll learn by exploring links in the chart below.

Among the notables is Studebaker. Before it made classic cars, Studebaker made classic covered wagons that helped settle the American West. It began building automobiles in 1902. Learn about such collectibles as the 1947-49 Studebaker Commander Coupe & Convertible and the 1959-61 Studebaker Silver Hawk & Hawk.

Sunbeam automobiles always had a sporting bent. Check out classics from this British company, including the graceful 1948 Sunbeam-Talbot 90 sport sedan and the rally-winning 1958-67 Sunbeam Rapier.

Not all classic cars are rare and ultra expensive. Some are ubiquitous and eminently affordable. That describes the little rear-engine cars from Volkswagen. Find out why this holds especially true for the 1953-79 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible.

Willys is best known as a manufacturer of the original World War II Jeep. But it also created a number of classic cars. Learn about such wonders as the 1941-42 Willys Americar and the 1955 Willys Bermuda.

For profiles, pictures, specs and more on these and other great classic cars, check out:

1958-67 Saab 750GT/850GT1987 Shelby Charger GLH-S1986-87 Shelby GLH-S1999-2000 Shelby S.P. 360 Durango
1931-36 SS I1936-40 SS Jaguar 1001936-40 SS Jaguar 2 1/2 Litre/3 1/2 Litre1953-54 Studebaker Champion Regal Starlight/Starliner
1951 Studebaker Commander1947-49 Studebaker Commander Coupe & Convertible1953-54 Studebaker Commander Regal Starlight/Starliner1952 Studebaker Commander State Starliner
1962-64 Studebaker Lark Daytona Hardtop & Convertible1956-57 Studebaker President Classic1930-33 Studebaker President Eight1934-39 Studebaker President Eight
1955 Studebaker President Speedster1958 Studebaker President/Commander Starlight1959-61 Studebaker Silver Hawk & Hawk1956 Studebaker Sky Hawk
1946 Studebaker Skyway Champion1932-36 Stutz DV321932-36 Stutz SV161964-65 Sunbam Venezia by Supperleggera
1953-55 Sunbeam Alpine1969-70 Sunbeam Alpine GT1958-67 Sunbeam Rapier1948-57 Sunbeam Talbot 90
1948-57 Sunbeam-Talbot 801954-55 Swallow Doretti1930-35 Talbot 90/1051934-37 Terraplane Open Models
1936-39 Triumph Dolomite1949-53 Triumph Mayflower1950-54 Triumph Renown1963-75 Vanden Plas Princess 1100/1300
1959-64 Vanden Plas Princess 3 Litre1964-68 Vanden Plas Princess 4 Litre R1953-79 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible1958-65 Volvo PV544
1952-54 Willys Aero-Eagle1941-42 Willys Americar1955 Willys BermudaSource: Howstuffworks